It was a rather stiff 0-0 for Roma away at San Sebastián against La Liga side Real Sociedad but it was enough for Jose Mourinho’s side to get through to the Europa League quarter finals as they held on to the 2-0 victory in the first leg.
The Giallorossi saw a goal disallowed in the first half as VAR showed that Chris Smalling’s deflection on Dybala’s corner kick came with his elbow.
Real Sociedad pushed the tempo up in the second half, looking to score but no one among Sorloth, Méndez and Merino managed to convert the chances they had in the opening minutes.
Mikel Oyarzabal too tried his luck but first he saw his short range deflection saved by Rui Patricio and then he kissed the crossbar with his tap-in.
The final whistle was a relief for Roma but the qualification is the strongest confidence boost possible for the Giallorossi ahead of Sunday’s derby against Lazio, with Maurizio Sarri’s side simultaneously knocked out by Eredivisie side AZ from the Conference League.
Player ratings
Real Sociedad (4-4-2): Remiro (5); Gorosabel (6), Zubeldia (6), Le Normand (6), Rico (6); Mendez (6), Merino (6), Zubimendi (6), Silva (6); Sorloth (5,5), Oyarzabal (6).
Substitutes: Férnandez (4); Sola (5); Kubo (5,5); Cho (-).
Roma (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio (6); Mancini (6,5), Smalling (6), Ibanez (7); Karsdorp (6), Cristante (6,5), Wijnaldum (5,5), Spinazzola (6); Pellegrini (6), Dybala (6); Belotti (6,5).
Substitutes: Zalewski (6,5); Abraham (-), El Shaaarawy (-), Bove (-).
Andrea Agostinelli I GIFN
